AU Park/Tenleytown, DC Real Estate

Tenleytown dates back to the 1700s and is the second oldest settlement in the D.C. area, next to Georgetown. It was originally the last outpost for farmers delivering their wares from Frederick, MD to Georgetown. Tenleytown is also home to Fort Reno, which is highest point in the city at over 400 feet.

Prior to acquiring its current name, the area was referred to as Tennally’s Town after John Tennally, who owned a popular watering hole on what is now the corner of River Road and Wisconsin Avenue.

The growth of Tenleytown did not begin until the late 1800s when the D.C. streetcar line connected Tenleytown to the Downtown D.C. area. The 18th century area, “Old Tenleytown” encompassed what is now broken down into three separate neighborhoods: Tenleytown, American University Park and Friendship Heights.

Quality of Life:

Tenleytown is a comfortable, down-to-earth neighborhood that is a short distance from the downtown area. The community is easily walkable and a nearby Red line metro stop services residents and American University students.

Notable developments in the community include the completion of the Tenleytown Library, a modern building close to the AU Park/Tenleytown Metro station. The intersection of River Road and Wisconsin features a Whole Foods, A Best Buy, an Ace Hardware store and a variety of different restaurants. Tenleytown residents also enjoy the convenience of Fort Reno, which offers great sledding in the winter, a perfect picnic spot in the spring and fall and free concerts in the summer.

Getting Around:

The Tenleytown-American University Red line Metro stop off of Wisconsin Avenue is located in the center of town. Buses also frequent the area offering transportation toward Georgetown or Friendship Heights.